Archive
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Shareholders' tax victory
Rebel shareholders in Shell have claimed victory in their fight to escape a hefty tax bill following the unification of the oil group. About 400 UK investors refused to accept an offer from Shell to sell their shares in its former Dutch parent company
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Men arrested in drugs raid
Police have arrested 11 suspected drug dealers after recovering heroin, crack cocaine and ecstasy in a string of night-time raids on Teesside. The seven men, aged between 20 and 32 and four women, between 19 and 53, were arrested on suspicion of possessing
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Pensioner 'cowboy' lost in Berlin
A PENSIONER who was dressed as a cowboy has vanished in Berlin. John Thomas Hedley, 70, was wearing a stetson-style hat, brown suede jeans, a tan waistcoat and a silver sheriff's badge when he was last seen leaving a McDonald's restaurant in the German
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The man who hunted Nazis
AS the advancing Red Army pushed into Germany, the SS guards at the Janwska concentration camp in Poland, realising they would be sent to the front if they had no prisoners left, decided to march westwards with their surviving inmates. By then, the 200
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The dangers of delaying children
BY the age of 30 my wife had had all three of our children. Looking back from almost another 40 years she wouldn't have had it any other way. Nor would I, two years her junior. Why? Because parenting goes on for a long, long time. In fact it never ceases
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Police chiefs to hold merger talks as forces face shake-up
Police chiefs are due to begin talks over potential mergers in response to plans for a shake-up of forces. The plans, which are backed by Home Secretary Charles Clarke, will mean the creation of large strategic forces to be better able to cope with modern
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Boy, five, kicked by horse at show
THE MOTHER of a five-year-old boy who needed hospital treatment after being kicked by a horse at an agricultural show has criticised safety precautions at the event. Ronan Downie, of West Cornforth, County Durham, was rushed to James Cook University Hospital
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Student helps web firm boost profits
A web solutions company expects to increase its profits fivefold thanks to an award-winning student. Visualsoft UK Ltd, in Middlesbrough, said profits are likely to jump from around £50,000 to £250,000 a year after university student Ali Zaidi created
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Monty desperate to get one over on Jose at last
COLIN Montgomerie is hoping to end 21 years of hurt when he leads his Great Britain & Ireland team into Seve Trophy action at The Wynyard Club tomorrow, after admitting that a decades-old defeat to opposition skipper Jose Maria Olazabal still gives
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Sunderland struggle to reach round three
CHELTENHAM is famous for its horse-racing and, as the town's little-known footballers produced a resolute rearguard action at the Stadium of Light last night, Sunderland's Premiership thoroughbreds came close to seeing their Carling Cup campaign fall
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Gurkha missing amid theft inquiry
A GURKHA soldier has gone absent without leave from Europe's biggest Army base amid accusations he has been stealing from other recruits. The soldier was serving with Gurkha Company, the 3rd Battalion, at the Infantry Training Centre, in Catterick Garrison
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On TV
What Did ITV Do For Me? (ITV1) When Blue Peter Became Abba (C4) IF David Jason hadn't been discovered on the end of the pier, he wouldn't be where he is today - one of TV's top stars. Now I'm sure most of us can think of a few celebrities we'd gladly
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Comment from The Northern Echo: An own goal for football?
FOOTBALL clubs in the lower divisions are well used to the hard times. But talk of a crisis in the Premiership is something new. With attendances at most top flight clubs in decline, the bubble appears to have burst. There was further evidence of football's
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Gurkha missing amid theft inquiry
A GURKHA soldier has gone absent without leave from Europe's biggest Army base amid accusations he has been stealing from other recruits. The soldier was serving with Gurkha Company, the 3rd Battalion, at the Infantry Training Centre, in Catterick Garrison
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Healthy Graham agrees to take the helm at PD Ports
THE chief executive of PD Ports plc has agreed to become full-time chairman of Tees Valley Regeneration, after being given the all-clear from cancer. Graham Roberts, who stepped into the breach as temporary chairman when TVR's previous chairman, Peter
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Bank unanimous in holding rates
Bank of England members who opposed lower borrowing costs in August declined to press the case for reversing the move this month, it emerged today. Minutes from the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) a fortnight ago showed that the nine members
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Dane joins Tattoon Army
A CHEEKY soccer fan hopes to score with the girls after he had Michael Owen's picture tattooed on his bottom. Tattooist Martin Couley spent five hours drawing the image on Toon fan Dane Dixon's right buttock. Football-mad Dane, 20, agreed to have the
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Event puts health focus onto men
A HEALTHY number of men attended an event designed to promote awareness of sexual and physical well-being in Bishop Auckland yesterday. The Men's Attitude to Sex and Health (Mash) group held the activities at Bishop Auckland College throughout the day
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Scientists turn to Geordies for Neanderthal study
THERE are some who may believe Neanderthals are alive and well and can be found in Newcastle's Bigg Market on a Saturday night. But in a new twist, scientists have overturned their views of Neanderthals by turning to modern Geordies. Last year, French
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Milkman delivers £800 for charity
A MILKMAN's daily deliveries to hundreds of homes in the Crook area has earned £800 for a cancer charity. Dairyman Anthony Gray and his team from Sunnydene Dairies joined people all over the country in Macmillan Cancer Relief's Million Miles Challenge
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Judge grants thief his prison wish
A BURGLAR who crashed a getaway car while drunk got his wish yesterday - a spell behind bars to keep him out of further trouble. Magistrates in Harrogate heard how 24-year-old Ross Jenkins, of Malings Close, Sunderland, travelled to Boroughbridge, North
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Smart way to stop crime
A UNIVERSITY has introduced the latest crime-fighting technique to deter thefts of its equipment. Durham University's information technology service has marked its computers and other equipment in its classrooms and lecture theatres with SmartWater -
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Brothers face jail for brawl
TWO brothers have been warned they will be jailed when they are sentenced for a pub brawl. Karl Sowden, 38, of Greenbank Road, and Matthew Sowden, 36, of Corporation Road, both Darlington, were involved in the fight at the town's Highland Laddie pub on
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Suspected pervert
A SUSPECTED peeping Tom was caught by angry athletes as he filmed women relieving themselves before the Great North Run. The 28-year-old was grabbed when he was spotted filming women on a video camera as they ducked into bushes. Portable toilets are provided
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Housing complex burglar took only two Weetabix
A TRESPASSER broke into a housing complex with the intention to steal - but got away with only two Weetabix biscuits. Vincent Baker, 20, carried out "the most unusual burglary" when he broke into accommodation in Darlington Arts Centre and wandered into
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McCarthy defends his squad
A DOWNBEAT Mick McCarthy last night claimed breaking down a lively but limited Cheltenham side was a tougher task than facing champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Anthony Le Tallec's extra-time winner sent Sunderland into the third round of the Carling
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Flight to Uefa Cup clash is cancelled
THE declining state of British football was further illustrated last night after a Middlesbrough FC flight to a European match was cancelled because of a lack of interest. The club's official flight to Greece for next week's Uefa Cup clash against Xanthi
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Thieves raid stillborn baby's grave
A GRIEVING family has hit out at thieves who have repeatedly stolen items left on a baby's grave. Sue and Leslie Robinson said they had complained four times to authorities at Stranton Grange Cemetery, in Hartlepool, after cuddly toys and ornaments were
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Public backs traffic lights
A SCHEME to build traffic lights at a problem junction has won huge support from residents and businesses. A total of 70 per cent of people consulted said that traffic lights should be installed in Bedale to improve safety at the junction of the busy
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Marketing executive enters the Church
THE new curate of a Durham church trained at the city's university after working in marketing in the United States. Rosalyn Murphy will take up her role at St Nicholas Church, Market Place, after being ordained there by the Bishop of Jarrow, the Right
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Test the County - for three Rs
PEOPLE living in East Durham are to have their three Rs tested as part of a pilot numeracy and literacy scheme. The Test the County programme is being organised by the Learning and Skills Council and will initially be concentrated in the Easington district
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Inquiry call over prison pervert
VICTIMS of disgraced church minister Neville Husband last night called for a public inquiry into his campaign of homosexual rape of teenage inmates while working as a prison officer. Husband, who will be 68 next month, abused his power in a "gross and
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Woman fined for damage
A WOMAN smashed a family's living room window as part of an ongoing neighbour feud. Claire Mary Whaley, 19, admitted causing the damage only seconds after the occupant and her children had left the room of their Darlington home. Darlington Magistrates
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'Poor quality instruments led to death'
THE Department of Health has been accused of a "gross failure of quality control" after a North-East woman died during a routine operation. Solicitor Richard Follis told an inquest in Middlesbrough he had come to that conclusion after discovering staff
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Two die as car hits tree
Two people killed when their silver BMW hit a tree on Monday have been named. Lillian Courtney, 89, and her son Graham Courtney, 57, both of Austerbank Avenue, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire. died in the westbound A64 crash between Bilbrough and Tadcaster
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Club seeks to raise £15,000 to restore decaying track
OLYMPIC hopefuls could miss out on vital training due to the dangerous condition of their track. But Billingham Marsh House Harriers have been turned away at every avenue for funding and grants. Now, they have taken it upon themselves to raise £15,000
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Come dancing
DANCERS Anton du Bek and Erin Boag, from TV's Strictly Come Dancing, will give a demonstration when the International Dance Association holds a dance at the Federation Brewery, Dunston, Gateshead, on Sunday, October 2, at 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets cost
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Morse's Jaguar goes up for sale
A Jaguar car that featured in the Inspector Morse series is up for sale again - after being bought for more than £50,000 and restored at a cost of about £80,000. The sleek burgundy vehicle, voted the viewers' favourite in a nationwide poll, has been restored
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Artist in a wibbly wobbly world of her own
A PAINTER has found there is a big demand for her 'wobbly' townscapes. Originals by Barbara Lamb are being snapped up as soon as they appear on the walls of her new gallery in Richmond. Miss Lamb, 53, only began painting in 2000, after retiring from her
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Course puts cabbies in the driving seat
A NEW qualification has helped put a group of North-East cabbies in the driving seat. The BTEC Award (Level 2) in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire is part of the sector's target to raise the skills levels amongst its workforce. Eight drivers
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Extra training offered
TRAINING courses will be tailored to fill worker shortages under a three-year plan. Courses in customer care, first aid, team building and communication skills, child care, e-business, hospitality, foreign languages, maths and English will all be on offer
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Sheep farmers prepare for show
Swaledale sheep will take centre stage at the fifth Langdon Beck Show on Saturday. Thirty farmers, from as far afield as Lancaster and Northumberland, will descend on the showground next to the Langdon Beck Hotel, in Upper Teesdale, County Durham. The
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Time parents remembered how to say 'no'
TOO much television makes children fat, ill, lazy, bored, depressed and violent. The more research that's done, the more alarming the results. The latest research makes a direct link between television watching in childhood and increased risks of obesity
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Tesco loses out despite high profits
TESCO cast a shadow over its surge in half-year profits of more than £900m yesterday when it flagged up concerns over soaring oil-related costs. Even though the retailer underlined its dominant position in the supermarket sector with a 19 per cent profits
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Power plant's cool reception to takeover bid
EUROPE'S biggest coal-fired power station turned down a £1.9bn takeover proposal yesterday and pressed ahead with plans for a stock market listing. North Yorkshire-based Drax rejected the indicative offer from a consortium including US power group Constellation
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How to get there
The Wynard club is located off the A689 between Sedgefield and the turn-off for the A19, near Billingham. The event will be signposted for drivers heading from both directions. Car parking is available at the nearby Wynyard One site, the former home of
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Top anglers compete in tournament
SOME of the country's leading anglers have competed at the country's biggest angling tournament. The English River National Fly Fishing Championships took place on the River Wear, near Bishop Auckland, for the second successive year. Davy Parker, from
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Crime claims rising
THE number of crime-related insurance claims from companies increased by a quarter in recent months. Many businesses blame a lack of police presence, says the report by Axa.
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Market report
The FTSE 100 Index saw its four-day winning streak come to an end yesterday after £1bn was wiped off the value of Tesco. The supermarket group saw its shares fall by four per cent as concerns over the impact of higher energy costs on the business cast
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Sharon Griffiths writes...
TOO much television makes children fat, ill, lazy, bored, depressed and violent. The more research that's done, the more alarming the results. The latest research makes a direct link between television watching in childhood and increased risks of obesity
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Focus on the landscape
CONTEMPORARY photo artist Joe Cornish is showcasing a series of limited edition landscape prints. The Green Dragon Museum, in Stockton, is exhibiting some of his work, including pictures of many local beauty spots around North Yorkshire. Born in Exeter
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Fire kills farm animals
Twenty-one animals have been killed in a fire at a farm in East Cleveland in the early hours of today. Nine sows and 12 piglets burned to death in a wooden building at the farm on Grinkle Lane in Saltburn. Two fire brigade crews from Loftus and Skelton
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Monty desperate to get one over on Jose at last
COLIN Montgomerie is hoping to end 21 years of hurt when he leads his Great Britain & Ireland team into Seve Trophy action at The Wynyard Club tomorrow, after admitting that a decades-old defeat to opposition skipper Jose Maria Olazabal still gives
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Russell's sympathy for Bossu
Darlington keeper Sam Russell may have reclaimed his place from Bert Bossu but Quakers' No 1 admits he feels sorry for the Frenchman who made several mistakes in his five games. Bossu provided cover while Russell was sidelined for a month, and the reserve
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Inquiry call over prison pervert
VICTIMS of disgraced church minister Neville Husband last night called for a public inquiry into his campaign of homosexual rape of teenage inmates while working as a prison officer. Husband, who will be 68 next month, abused his power in a "gross and
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Biodiesel research facility could create jobs
Biofuels firm D1 Oils has confirmed plans to create a biodiesel research facility in the region which could create up to 30 jobs. Stockton-based D1, which is signing deals across the world to grow crops that can be converted into oil, said it would set
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Further one-day misery for Yorkshire
Yorkshire Phoenix crashed to their seventh consecutive totesport League defeat at Edgbaston yesterday where they received a 102 run mauling from Warwickshire Bears after England's Ian Bell had blasted them for a magnificent 137. Jonathan Trott also weighed
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Champions League? I'm not having a laugh declares McDermott
MOST Newcastle United fans had resigned themselves to another season of mid-table mediocrity after opening their Premiership campaign with only one point from their first five fixtures. But it's amazing what one win can do, and Sunday's emphatic 3-0 triumph
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Jailed businessmen appeal against paying back debt
THE directors of two North-East companies who were jailed after a £17m VAT scam are appealing against paying back the debt. It was revealed last night Michael McGuiness, 37, and Leslie Heads, 47, are to appear at a tribunal to fight a claim by Customs
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Further one-day misery for Yorkshire
Yorkshire Phoenix crashed to their seventh consecutive totesport League defeat at Edgbaston yesterday where they received a 102 run mauling from Warwickshire Bears after England's Ian Bell had blasted them for a magnificent 137. Jonathan Trott also weighed
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Tournament ticket information
A ticket hotline for the tournament - 0870 602 1121 - is available and tickets can also be ordered at www.ticketmaster.co.uk. Alternatively tickets can be bought on the day of play at ticket kiosks in the car park. The cost is Wednesday (pro-am) £12;
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21/09/2005
THERE'S a small part of me that's disappointed this week. I was at The Wynyard yesterday to show my face but that's the closest I will get to compete in the Seve Trophy this year. Instead of going along to the course, where I do the majority of my practising
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Stakes rise in battle for Hunter
AN industrial firm at the centre of a takeover tug-of-war saw its value rise again yesterday. The battle for air filtration specialist Domnick Hunter, based in Birtley, County Durham, now favours Eaton Industries after it trumped Parker Hannifin with
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Prison for over-limit driver
A DRIVER who was over the alcohol limit the day after a heavy drinking session killed his girlfriend when his car careered off a road and crashed into a tree. Graham Atkinson, 39, was jailed for three-and-a-half years yesterday after he admitted causing
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Inquest into street death
AN inquest was opened yesterday on a man who died after he collapsed in the street. Thomas Michael Brand, 51, of Ramsey Crescent, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, was found in Greenfields Road on Monday. He was pronounced dead shortly after he was taken
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Man stabbed after chasing burglar
A MAN was stabbed after leaping from his bath to confront a burglar. The 29-year-old, from Darlington Road, Ferryhill, was wearing only a towel as he tried to apprehend the assailant. He was left with wounds to his right arm after using the towel to protect
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Fractured leg after man hit by driver
A MAN suffered a fractured leg after he was deliberately mown down by a driver. The 21-year-old was waiting for a friend in a car park at the rear of Chips Computers, in Borough Road, Middlesbrough, at about 2am yesterday. A white Peugeot 405 car, which
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Lawyer presents case for opening hours
A HOTEL drafted in a lawyer yesterday to ensure a local authority granted its request for slightly longer opening hours. The Hotel Bannatyne, in Southend Avenue, Darlington, formerly known as the New Grange Hotel, applied to open 11am to 1am, Sunday to
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Ryanair boss accuses British Airways of -Skyway robbery'
Flamboyant Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary yesterday accused British Airways of "skyway robbery" by introducing fuel surcharges on air tickets. BA was "profiteering at passengers' expense" added Mr O'Leary, chief executive of the Irish low-fare carrier.
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Fatal accident
Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a man died after being struck by a lorry in Durham Road, Birtley, at about 3.50pm yesterday. The man, believed to be in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene and the road was closed for about
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Pensioner is conned
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after an elderly man was conned out of £140 on Monday. The 83-year-old was walking with his wife in Westgate, Guisborough, Teesside, when they were approached at 10.30am. The man chatted to the couple and convinced them
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Tasteful push for local foods
DURHAM shoppers are to be encouraged to buy local during a two-week celebration of food grown in the area. The event will be held from Saturday until Sunday, October 29, to coincide with British Food Fortnight. The aim is to promote the meat, drink, vegetables
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Volunteers' commitment rewarded
DEDICATED members of a voluntary service were rewarded for their commitment yesterday. Five members of the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) were given rewards for their long service to the group, at Bishop Auckland Methodist Church yesterday afternoon
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'Please let our daughter stay in UK'
A TEENAGE girl has been refused permission to stay in the country and is facing deportation. Candice Chesher, 18, moved to Ripon, North Yorkshire, in 2003 with her mother, stepfather and younger brother. The family hoped to start a new life in Britain
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Thug sent to jail for birthday
A TEENAGER'S birthday celebrations were ruined when she and a friend were knocked out by a thug on a violent rampage. Javier Morales, 32, attacked Vicky Bircham and two of her friends while they were out in Middlesbrough town centre for her 18th birthday
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'Massive' problem as stray and neglected dogs increase
A BADLY-NEGLECTED border collie cross is the latest victim in an escalating stray dog problem blighting east Durham. Since April, more than 230 dogs have been impounded in the area and a local vet believes animals are being needlessly consigned to death
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Sisters' lucky escape as bus crashes into house
TWO elderly sisters had a lucky escape yesterday after a bus crashed into their home, demolishing a front wall. The single-decker First York bus ploughed into the corner of 62 Lawrence Street, York, when it failed to negotiate a corner, shortly after
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Carpet fitter forgiven for theft
A CARPET fitter who fleeced his firm out of almost £8,000 has been spared jail after a judge heard how the company has given him a job back. Geoffrey Hobson, 60, was ordered to pay the money back to his employers. The Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge
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'I was saved from an Iraqi mob by the man I'll marry'
A WOMAN soldier found love in Iraq when her husband-to-be rescued her from an angry mob. Natalie Savage broke her back when she was thrown from an army Land Rover as it hit a pothole in Basra. The paralysed solder was then attacked by a gang of Iraqi
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£10m Trophy boom predicted
THE North-East is expected to cash in to the tune of millions of pounds as it stages a golf event anticipated to attract worldwide interest. The 2005 Seve Trophy at The Wynyard Club, near Billingham, Teesside, sees a Great Britain and Ireland side, led
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Walkers moves production to Peterlee
Crisp maker Walkers is to close one of its factories with the loss of 250 jobs under cost-cutting plans, the firm announced today. Its Swansea plant in south Wales, where products including Monster Munch and Wotsits are made, will close within six months
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Delay over quarry decision as both sides plead their case
MORE archaeological tests will be conducted before a decision plans to quarry near an earthwork monument. Councillors have agreed to defer judgement on a planning application by Tarmac Northern to extend Nosterfield Quarry, near Masham, North Yorkshire
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Human rocket will be firing on all cylinders at circus
A CIRCUS act not seen for more than 20 years will be performed in a North-East Big Top tonight. The Human Rocket will be fired from a live cannon at 60 miles per hour during the Cottle and Austen show, which will premiere in Middlesbrough. A cast of more
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Diabetes man talks about transplant
A MAN who made medical history is coming to the region to give a talk on his battle with diabetes. Richard Lane, 61, was the recipient of Britain's first fully-successful islet cell transplant. Two other transplants had been performed, but only achieved
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Bra walkers aiming to raise research funds
WALKERS showing off their bras will raise money for charity this weekend. Dozens of women -and men -are expected to take part in the Masham Bra Walk on Saturday to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research (YCR). Walk organiser Sharon Carter said: "I
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First bite in the midge business
IN THE hope that good stuff comes in little bundles, today's column takes a second bite at the irritating subject of the midge. Following a short holiday on the Hebrides, last week's Gadfly discussed how the pesky blighters might be deterred or, perhaps
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Lack of skills is costing technology firms millions
DIGITAL technology companies across the region have lost out on millions of pounds of business due to a lack of appropriate employee skills, according to a survey. In a study commissioned by Codeworks Connect, the trade association for the North-East's
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Karlin builds strong foundations
A TIMBER frame housebuilding company has seen orders pass the £1m mark and expects turnover to almost quadruple. Karlin Timber Frame, in Stanley, County Durham, has also doubled its workforce and is looking for bigger premises. Since starting business
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Mortgage levels soaring high
MORTGAGE lending soared to one of the highest figures on record last month as people switched their home loans to better deals. Total advances rose by nine per cent during the month to £27.5bn - the highest figure since July last year, according to the
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World at My Feet looks a good bet at Redcar
PASSING up the opportunity to back World At My Feet (3.40) might prove a costly error in the Redcar Racecourse Conference Centre Selling Stakes. Part of a tipsters job is to evaluate whether or not a horse is operating over the right distance and trainer
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Inquiries into race deaths
ONE of the four competitors who collapsed during the Great North Run died from natural causes. Medical examinations were carried out into the death of deputy headteacher Phil Lewis. Post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out on 34-year-old Kieran
